the following excerpt is from a book entitled "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats" (I go this book ALL THE TIME - so if interested in having a book on hand for all kinds of things - this is a great choice)
Ear Mites
A mixture of 1/2 once of almond or olive oil and 400 IU vitamin E (from a capsule) makes a mild healing treatment for either cats or dogs. Blend them in a dropper bottle and warm the mixture to body temperature by immersing it in hot water. Holding the ear flap up, put about 1/2 droperful in the ear. Massage the ear canal well so that you hear a fluid sound. After a minute of this, let the animal shake its head. Then gently clean out the opening (not deep into the ear) with cotton swabs to remove debris and excess oil. The oil mixture will smother many of the ear mites and start the healing process that will make the ear less hospitable for them. Apply the oil every other day for six days (three treatments in total). Between treatments cap the mixture tightly and store at room temperature. After the last oil treatment, let the ear rest for three more days. Meanwhile, prepare the next medicine, an herbal extract which is used to directly inhibit or kill the mites.
Herbal -Once the ears are cleaned out, one of the simplest ways to kill mites is with the herb Yellow Dock (Rumex cripus). Prepare it as described in "Herbal Schedule 1," (listed below) and apply it in the same way as the oil, above. Treat the ears once every three days for three to four weeks. Usually, this is enough to clear up the problem.
In a very stubborn case, you may need to thoroughly shampoo the head and ears as well. The mites can hang out around the outside of the ears and crawl back in later. Also shampoo the tip of the tail, which may harbor a few mites from when it is curled near the head. Use a tea infusion of yellow dock as a final rince. Remember also that toning up the skin with a nutritious diet is absolutely necessary for the pet with a stubborn mite problem.
If there is no improvement, the problem may not be mites at all. It's just as likely to be an expression of an allergy. Here's how to tell the difference: Ears with mites have a dry, crumbly "coffee ground" discharge seen only (with a light) down in the ear canal, allergy ears exude an oily, waxy, dark brown fluidlike discharge that comes up out of the ear canal and is also seen around the outside of the ear.
For the herbal solution described above:
At a health food store, you should be able to get the Yellow Dock in a tincture (liquid in a dropper bottle) - if you get it in this form, dilute it, three drops to one teaspoon (or nine drops to one tablespoon) of pure water.
if you get it in the dried herb, make an infusion by bringing one cup of pure water to a boil. Pour it over one rounded teaspoon of dried herb - cover and steep for 15 minutes. Extract the liquid by straining it through a cheesecloth or sieve.
Good luck and I hope this helps!!! (and hope it's not viewed as WAY too long!!! )
